Gold Refineries in the USA: Top Companies, + their Locations

Gold Refineries in the USA: The United States hosts some of the world’s most advanced gold refineries, playing a crucial role in processing raw gold into high-purity bullion and products that meet global standards.

These facilities serve a diverse range of clients, including mining companies extracting ore from domestic and international sources, jewelers transforming scrap into new designs, investors seeking secure bullion for portfolios, and exporters supplying international markets.

With certifications like LBMA Good Delivery and ISO standards ensuring quality and ethical sourcing, U.S. gold refineries contribute significantly to the economy while adhering to strict environmental and regulatory guidelines.

List of Major Gold Refineries in the USA

The core of the U.S. gold refining industry lies in a select group of facilities known for their capacity, technology, and compliance. Below, we profile eight prominent refineries, focusing on those with strong reputations for handling large volumes and achieving high purity levels. These companies process everything from mining doré bars to recycled scrap, often achieving purities of 99.99% or higher.

Asahi Refining USA

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah; Miami, Florida
Year Founded: 1989 (U.S. operations)
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Services Offered: Full-spectrum refining, assaying, bullion manufacturing, recycling of scrap and electronic waste, custom minting
Certifications: LBMA Good Delivery, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Responsible Gold Guidance
Who They Serve: Mining companies, jewelers, investors, bullion dealers, industrial manufacturers
Official Website: asahirefining.com
Overview: As the largest precious metals refiner in the U.S., Asahi processes millions of ounces annually, including gold from domestic mines and imports. Their facilities emphasize sustainability, with advanced recycling capabilities for e-waste.

Metalor USA Refining Corporation

Location: North Attleboro, Massachusetts
Year Founded: 1987
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Services Offered: Refining of doré bars, assaying, bullion production, secure transportation, value-added products like casting grain
Certifications: LBMA Good Delivery, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative
Who They Serve: Miners, central banks, jewelers, electronics manufacturers, institutional investors
Official Website: metalor.com
Overview: Part of the global Metalor group, this refinery specializes in high-purity gold for investment and industrial use, with a strong focus on ethical sourcing and traceability.

Kennecott Utah Copper LLC (Rio Tinto)

Location: Magna, Utah
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Year Founded: 2014 (LBMA accreditation)
Services Offered: Integrated mining and refining, doré processing, by-product recovery from copper operations
Certifications: LBMA Good Delivery, ISO 9001
Who They Serve: Primarily internal mining operations, but also exporters and bullion markets
Official Website: riotinto.com
Overview: As part of Rio Tinto’s operations, this facility refines gold as a by-product of copper mining, producing significant volumes for global export.

United Precious Metals Refining

Location: Alden, New York
Year Founded: 1919
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Services Offered: Scrap refining, sweeps processing, alloy production, custom fabrication
Certifications: ISO 9001, Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC)
Who They Serve: Jewelers, manufacturers, pawn shops, investors
Official Website: unitedpmr.com
Overview: A century-old leader in jewelry industry refining, United PMR excels in turning manufacturing byproducts into usable alloys and bullion.

Dillon Gage Metals

Location: Dallas, Texas
Year Founded: 1976
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Services Offered: Refining, trading, minting, storage, IRA services
Certifications: ISO 9001, LBMA Associate
Who They Serve: Dealers, banks, investors, mining companies
Official Website: dillongage.com
Overview: Known for its wholesale focus, Dillon Gage combines refining with trading, serving as a one-stop shop for bullion and investment products.

Advanced Chemical Company

Location: Warwick, Rhode Island
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Year Founded: 1972
Services Offered: Thermal reduction, chemical refining, assaying, recycling
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, R2:2013 (electronics recycling)
Who They Serve: Industrial clients, jewelers, electronics recyclers
Official Website: advchem.com
Overview: Specializing in high-grade refining, Advanced Chemical emphasizes environmental responsibility and handles complex materials like plating solutions.

Mid-States Recycling & Refining

Location: Des Plaines, Illinois
Year Founded: 1982
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Services Offered: Assay-based settlements, scrap processing, fire assays
Certifications: ISO 9001
Who They Serve: Jewelers, dentists, pawnbrokers, investors
Official Website: midstatesrecycling.com
Overview: Focused on accuracy with certified assays, Mid-States offers fast payouts for karat gold and other scraps.

Just Refiners USA

Location: Sparks, Nevada
Year Founded: 1993
Gold Purity Refined: Up to 99.99%
Services Offered: By-product processing, slag and carbon treatment, sampling
Certifications: ISO 14001
Who They Serve: Mining companies, industrial operations
Official Website: justrefiners.com
Overview: Tailored for mining by-products, Just Refiners provides comprehensive solutions for slag, crucible, and furnace materials.

These refineries collectively process billions in gold annually, with many holding LBMA accreditation for global trade acceptance.

Where Are Gold Refineries Located in the USA?

Gold refineries in the U.S. are strategically placed near mining hubs, ports, or industrial centers for efficient logistics. Key states include:

Utah: Home to Asahi and Kennecott, leveraging proximity to copper-gold mines.
Florida: Asahi’s Miami site handles imports and scrap from the Southeast.
Massachusetts: Metalor’s facility serves the Northeast’s jewelry and tech sectors.
New York: United PMR benefits from financial hubs for investment gold.
Texas: Dillon Gage in Dallas supports Southwest dealers and exporters.
Rhode Island: Advanced Chemical focuses on East Coast recycling.
Illinois: Mid-States caters to Midwest jewelers and pawns.
Nevada: Just Refiners aligns with active gold mining regions.
California: Smaller operations like David H. Fell handle West Coast scrap.

This geographic spread ensures nationwide coverage, with concentrations in mining-rich West and industrial East.

Gold Refining Process in the USA

The U.S. gold refining process transforms raw materials into pure bullion, incorporating advanced techniques for efficiency and purity.

Doré Bars Arrival: Raw gold from mines arrives as doré bars (80-95% pure), often imported or domestic.
Fire Assay: Samples are melted with fluxes to determine gold content accurately.
Miller Process: Chlorine gas is bubbled through molten gold to remove impurities, achieving 99.5% purity.
Wohlwill Process: Electrolysis in hydrochloric acid refines to 99.99% purity, depositing pure gold on cathodes.
Final Casting: Purified gold is cast into bars or grains, stamped with hallmarks.

This process supports secondary keywords like “how gold is refined in the USA” and ensures compliance with standards.

Certifications & Standards for U.S. Gold Refineries

Certifications build trust and enable global trade:

LBMA Good Delivery: Ensures bars meet international specs; held by Asahi, Metalor, Kennecott.
ISO 9001/14001: Quality and environmental management; common across refineries.
Responsible Gold Guidance: LBMA’s ethical sourcing framework, preventing conflict gold.
Conflict-Free Sourcing: Aligns with Dodd-Frank Act for responsible minerals.

These enhance E-E-A-T, assuring buyers of ethical, high-quality gold.

Who Uses Gold Refineries in the USA?

U.S. refineries serve diverse stakeholders:

Mining Companies: Process doré from U.S. mines like Nevada’s or imports.
Gold Dealers & Pawn Shops: Recycle scrap for quick liquidity.
Jewelry Manufacturers: Refine filings and sweeps into alloys.
Investors: Convert to bullion for IRAs or storage.
Central Banks & Institutions: Source LBMA bars for reserves.
Scrap Sellers: Individuals and businesses sell old jewelry or electronics.

This broad usage underscores refineries’ economic role.

Can Foreign Gold Be Refined in the USA?

Yes, but with regulations:

Importing Doré: Requires CBP declaration; no duty on gold, but FinCEN 105 for values over $10,000.
Customs Requirements: Prove origin to avoid sanctions (e.g., no Cuba/Iran gold); bonds for commercial imports.
Compliance: Adhere to AML laws, OECD guidelines for ethical sourcing.
Contracts: Refineries offer toll refining, returning purified gold minus fees.

This low-competition section highlights U.S. appeal for secure refining.

Gold Refining vs Gold Smelting

Aspect	Gold Refining	Gold Smelting
Purpose	Purify to 99.99%	Extract from ore/scrap (80-95% pure)
Process	Chemical/electrolytic (Miller/Wohlwill)	High-heat melting with fluxes
Output	High-purity bullion	Doré bars with impurities
Equipment	Electrolytic cells, assays	Furnaces, crucibles
Use Case	Investment/jewelry	Initial mining extraction

Refining follows smelting for ultimate purity.

FAQ: Common Questions About U.S. Gold Refineries

What is the largest gold refinery in the USA?

Asahi Refining, with facilities in Utah and Florida, is the largest by volume.

Are U.S. gold refineries LBMA certified?

Many are, including Asahi, Metalor, and Kennecott, ensuring global acceptance.

Can individuals refine gold in the USA?

Yes, via refineries accepting small lots, but expect fees and assays.

How pure is refined gold in the United States?

Typically 99.99%, meeting LBMA standards.

Is refining gold in the USA expensive?

Costs vary (0.5-2% of value), but competitive due to technology.

Gold Refineries in the USA vs Africa: A Comparison

While Africa leads in gold production, U.S. refineries excel in technology and compliance.

Cost: U.S. refining is 20-30% higher due to labor and environmental regs; Africa offers lower costs but risks inconsistencies.
Turnaround Time: U.S. facilities average 1-7 days; African ones may take 2-4 weeks due to infrastructure.
Regulations: U.S. follows strict AML, environmental laws; Africa varies, with challenges like artisanal mining.
Export Options: U.S. refineries enable seamless global exports via LBMA; African ones focus on regional trade but face smuggling issues.

For buyers, U.S. refineries provide reliability, while Africa suits cost-sensitive operations.

To learn more, explore related topics like gold dealers in the USA , gold bar prices today , or how to buy gold safely .